RETAIL sales and summer weather have helped entice reluctant shoppers into York's stores to hunt down seasonal bargains.

But many customers have been spending their money wisely, plumping for one or two bargains when they might previously have filled their baskets.

The slowing housing market has been blamed in part for the national consumer caution, particularly with big-ticket items, such as white electricals and furniture.

Meanwhile Royal Ascot and the traffic system deployed for it has been criticised in some quarters for impacting on trade, while others believe shoppers stayed away because they feared the city would be heaving with racegoers.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said there had been "an overcautious approach" in the message put out during Royal Ascot of "don't go to York unless you are going to the races because it is full".

But he said the picture for retailers generally "seems okay" with "some doing better than others". "People suddenly seem to have great days followed by very bad days."

He said: "The hot weather is one of York's strengths compared with cities like Leeds and Manchester where you wouldn't want to trail around shops. In York there are other things to do like sit in the Museum Gardens. You don't have to shop until you swelter and drop. You can pace yourself."

Norma Middlemiss, centre manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Centre, noted that high street sales had started earlier this year. "The general trend has been to mark down more this year and to go earlier," she said.

"Generally we have had peaks and troughs. We were showing exceptional growth on last year until Ascot week when it was very quiet. The weekend was also quieter than I would have expected due to the exceptional hot weather and the York races is such an attraction."

She said: "York races seem to be affecting us more than they normally do. I don't think the traffic system on the A64 is helping."

Feedback from centre shops has revealed that while customers last year may have plumped for three or four reduced items during the sales, they are now choosing only one or two. "They are being a lot more cautious and looking for value for money."

Katherine Hague, Monks Cross Shopping Park, York, centre manager, said shoes and summer clothes had been selling well.

"T-shirts and summer gear are really flying out the doors. Some retailers have seen that cardigans and lightweight jumpers just aren't moving at all as you would expect."

Updated: 08:49 Thursday, July 14, 2005